So it should come as no surprise Auburn's first day in full pads Wednesday is a big one for defensive tackles coach Don Dunn and his players.

"Today is a big day for us," said Dunn. "It's hard to tell a lot about a d-lineman until they get the pads on and start knocking each other around."

Dunn is fortunate to have a lot of depth at the d-tackle position led by junior All-American Sen'Derrick Marks. But while Marks is the headliner, a battle between junior Jake Ricks and sophomore Mike Blanc for the other starting position is stealing the show through the first four practices of two-a-days.